Human Highlights: From A-Hole to Awe-Inspired, All In A Week’s Time

Human Highlights is a Sunday tradition at Commode To Joy. It’s a friendly reminder to forgive your human moments, celebrate the highlights, and enjoy.

……………………………………………….

Human Moment: Up to this installment, all of my Human Moments have been mistakes that I make – such as not applying enough sunscreen – or incidents that happen to me – like getting hit in the face with poop water. Not once have I written an account of me consciously choosing a human reaction.

That’s because I don’t like feeling like an asshole, so I rarely engage in circumstances or conversations that push me to that point. Friday, however, was a rare exception. I opted for a-hole status.

Miller and I went to the hospital to meet Mark for dinner. Rather than going to our usual entrance, we parked by the cafeteria. (This momma was hungry; I didn’t want to waste time walking the hallways.)

The door to the cafeteria was locked – odd, considering they were serving food for another hour and a half. Seeing a woman sitting at an inside table next to a window, I walked over and tapped on the glass gesturing to the door. She looked at me, shook her head no, and resumed eating all the while avoiding eye contact.

Once inside, with a direct line of sight to the woman still sitting by the windows, I extended my arm pointing directly at her, thus breaking two of the earliest rules I remember my mom enforcing – Jamie, stop staring; Jamie no pointing!

My loud chest voice caught her attention. She looked at me as I said dryly, “Thanks for your help.” I maintained eye contact and kept my finger aloft until she shook her head and returned to her plate of food.

I made my point. I called her out on her point blank refusal to help another person.

Did it make me feel like an a-hole? Yes. I had that shaky rattly feeling in my core for the next fifteen minutes at least.

Will it change her or her obstinance? Doubtful.

Did we both display human reactions to one situation? Absolutely. And that’s what I kept telling myself as I let the fumes dissipate. We’re allowed to be humans in all aspects. It’s part of the experience. Let it be, and let it go.

……………………………………………….

Highlight: Seeing the huge response to Mindy’s Story this week was the highest of Highlights for me.

Her story is so powerful that I expected people to be inspired. What I didn’t see coming was the huge wave of support that Mindy received in return, from both acquaintances and strangers alike.

Thanks to your reads and shares, Mindy’s story was read in Australia, Canada, China, India, Ireland, Italy, Pakistan, Romania, Sweden, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.

Thanks to your comments and messages, you’ve become a part of her healing journey.

Meeting for our first interview – June 23, 2017

……………………………………………….

Enjoyment: We snuck into neighboring fields while at an adoption party.

The sky, the fields, the hills, the boy. Makes the incident at the hospital cafeteria seem inconsequential. Because it is. Because moments like this – not the highs, not the lows, but the everyday occurrences? These moments make the larger fabric of our lives. The gal at the cafeteria was just one coarse thread.

This moment is what I’ll remember for years to come. This is what matters.

What are your Human Highlights from the week? Leave one of your moments in the comments below.